Pneumatic valve mechanism.



W. A. WATSON.

PNEUMATIC VALVE MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 1, 1912.,

Patented Apr. 21, 1914,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. A. WATSON.

PNEUMATIC VALVE MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 1, 1912.

Patented Apr. 21, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

c the shell vfrom the inner end.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM ARTHUR WATSON, OF MALIDEN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T NATIONALPIANO COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

PNEUMATIC VALVE MECHANISM.

Application filed February 1, 1912.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, lVILLIAM ARTHUR \VA'rsoN,a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Maiden, in the countyof Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Pneumatic Valve Mechanism, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to valve structures for pneumatically controlledmechanisms, and is especially intended for use in connection withself-playing musical instruments, although the present invention is notlimited thereto, as it may be employed in connection with mechanismsother than musical ones, which employ devices actuated by pneumatics. Inmechanisms of this character, as heretofore generally constructed, ithas been diflicult to inspect and repair the automatic valve mechanisms,because of the necessity of removing other parts in order to gain accessto the valves and other contained members. In my Patent 1,059,324,granted April 15, 1913, I have disclosed and claimed a construction ofshell which carries the valve devices, which shell is a seamless one,and is independently removable from the piano without disturbing otherparts, the shell carrying the valves which control the passages for theindividual operation of power pneumatics.

The object of the present invention is to improve the structure of theshell and the valve devices carried thereby in order to facilitateinspection and repair of these most delicate portions of the instrument.

To these ends the invention consists in the construction and combinationof parts substantially as hereinafter described and claimed Of theaccompanying drawings-Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of my improvedshell unit and valve mechanism, in connection with suilicient otherparts of a selfplaying piano to illustrate the utility of the presentinvention. Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal section of the metal shellon line 2-2 of Fig. 4E, omitting the members inclosed therein. Fig. 3 isan elevation of Fig. 4 is a plan view of the shell. Fig. 5 is an outerend elevation of the shell. Fig. 6 represents a horizontal section ofthe shell taken on the line ('36 of Fig. 7 Fig. 7 represents a sectionof the shell on line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 21, 1914.

Serial No. 674,849.

Fig. 8 represents a section on line 8-8 of Figs. 1 and 7. Fig. 9 is aplan view oi the diaphragm or pneumatic block, removed from the shell.Fig. 10 represents a section on line 1010 of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 representsa section on line 1111 of Fig. 9. Fig. 12 illustrates one of the valvedisks in plan view, and also shows the compound valve disks in sectionupon their guiding spindle or pin. Fig. 13 is a detail plan of the meansfor removably holding the disk valve spindle. Fig. 1 1 represents asection on line 1-11 lof Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is a detail front elevation ofseveral shells to show the method of mounting and securing the sections.Figs. 1 and 15 are practically on a scale of full size, the otherfigures being on a larger scale.

To facilitate description, reference numerals are employed in thedrawings to designate tangible parts of the structure while referenceletters are employed to designate spaces, passageways, or ports. In Fig.1, a portion of the frame of the shell mechanism is indicated at 20, and21 represents one of the connecting members which actuates a sticker ofthe piano action, said menber 21 being actuated by a lever 22 pivotallysupported at 23 and pivotally connected at 2% to a vertical link 25which has an opening indicated by dotted lines to receive a projectionor toe 26 that is carried by the lower or movable member of the powerpneumatic 27. The structure so far as de scribed is, or may be, similarto that in my application 277,490, referred to and it need be onlyunderstood herein, that when the pneumatic 27 is collapsed due to theexhaustion of air therefrom, the member 21 is raised and in the case ofa pneumatic piano, a particular iammer of the action is operated. Insaid Fig. 1 is represented a suitable construction of the tube board orwind chest 28, having tubes, ducts, or windways, and also having avacuum chamber F) as described in my said application. There is ofcourse a power pneumatic 27 for each duct in the wind chest, while thevacuum chamber is continuous for the entire series. Hemovably connectedwith each power pneumatic 27 and with the tube-board or wind chest, is avalve-carrying shell 29, which em braces the structure of my presentinvention, each shell and its valves being as presently described, solocated that it controls liq) the communication between its power pneumatic and the vacuum chamber of the wind chest.

As the shells 29 and their contained mecha nisi. s are duplicates ofeach other, a detailed description of one will sutlice. Each shell isformed with a slotted lug 30 at its front end, a screw 31 passingthrough the slot of such lug into the front end of the upper member ofthe pneumatic 27, thereby effect- 1 a tight int with said pneumatic. Thesides of the shell 29 are formed with hori zontal semi-circular grooves32 and with flat laced bosses 33 to receive the pressure of the heads ofsuitable screws or bolts 3% which extend into the front of the wind cheFigs. 5 and 15. Each screw fits tl *ooves of two abutting shells, and bytLc emoval of any two of said screws or bolts, the shell 29 between saidscrews or bolts can be easily withdrawn from position, after removingscrew 31. This structure enables said shells to be fitted closely toeach other so as to aid in supporting each other and occupy the leastpossible space. il hen shell has been removed and is to be replaced, thegrooves 32 co-act with the screws or bolts 31 which are left in place,in guiding the shell accurately to position, without possibility or anyair passage failing to register perfectly. And after the shell has beenreturned to place, it is so held by the said guiding screws or bolts asto prevent any possibility of the shell shifting vertically. Theinternal surfaces of the walls corresponding with the grooves 32 presentribs which serve to reinforce the structure. The shell 29 is formed within ternal ribs which serve to still further reinforce the shell, andalso serve to hold the pneumatic block in place as hereinafter described and with a horizontal partition 36 and a vertical partition 37(see Figs. 2 and 3). These two partitions meet, as shown in Fig. 2, soas to form passageways between them and the top and front end of theshell as presently described, the rear end of the shell being open andheld by the screws or bolts against the front wall of the vacuum chamberof the wind chest 28, suitable packing material t? being carried by thefront wall. of the wind chest. The chamber above the front end of thepartition 36, Fig. 2, and in front of the partition 37 is divided byintegral. webs 38 to form between them a passageway g and the ends ofsaid passageway are closed as at 89 and 1-0. Said end closures arepreferably plugs of cork or other material in order to facilitate thecasting of the shell when made of metal, but by methods well known tofounders the end closures 39 and d0 might be integral by the employmentof sand core In the rear portion of the horizontal partition 36 is anopening 2' across which a bridge -11 extends,

said bridge having a hole 42 to guide the disk valve spindle hereinafterdescribed.

Removably fitted in the bottom of the chamber of the shell and retainedthere by the internal ribs 35, is a block i l; which is preferably madeof wood, the upper surface of said block being formed with cavities orconcave depressions 4L5, l6, the relative positions of said cavities andthe ports leading thereto being indicated. by comparing Fig. 9 withFigs. 10 and 11. Extending over the top of said block is a flexiblecover H, which may be of kid, the edges of said cover extending over thesides of the block and cemented thereto, while an intermediatetransverse portion of said cover is secured to said block along the lineindicated at 48, so there can be no direct connnun'ication between thetwo cavities l-S, 1-6. T he block 4:4; is a diaphragin-supporting memberand constitutes a block-shaped pneumatic which is detachably arrangedwithin the lower chamber of the valve shell. The inner side or end ofthe supporting member engages the wall or partition 37 which is at anangle to the bottom of the chamber, and the other or outer side or endof said supporting mom-- her in alinement with the open side of theshell so that, when the shell is in place, the supporting member is holdendwise so that it cannot shift, even if the ribs were not employed. Theribs 35 serve to keep the diaphragm-supporting meinl'er or block it inplace when the shell is deta died, but when the shell is secured inposition the diaphragin-supporting member or block is tained in properposition by reason 01E its ends being held as justdescribed. Secured tothe cover 4 above the cavity LC, is a disk 49 which may be of card boardor other material cemented to said cover at the center of the said disk,the purpose of said disk being to contact with the lower end of thevalve spindle above it as presently de scribed. Secured to the flexiblecover -l-T above the other cavity is a disk shaped valve block 50 havinga transverse aperture 51, the top of said block being preferably facedwith leather to constitute a valve. Said block 50 which is an actuatoras hereinafter explained, is secured to the flexible cover by means of asmall metal. eyelet 52, having a vent. hole 53 conmiunicating with theaperture 51. The connection. is ellected by pushing the eyelet through asmall hole made in the flexible cover, the flange of the eyelet beingagainst the in'idcr surface of the flexible material, the block 50having a vertical hole for the purpose of being then slipped down so asto frictionally hold the block in position upon the flexible cover d7.

The block 44 is formed with two horizon tal borings o, e, which may betermed blind ducts, in that they do not permit of the passage or" air,because they terminate respectively in pockets d, f, formed in the blockunder the cavities 45, 46, in order that the flexible cover above saidcavities may be caused to rise and fall, according to the relationshipof air pressure above the flexible cover, to the pressure in the ducts cand c as hereinafter described. It is to be understood, however, thatthe pocket d, when the flexible cover 47 rises, does permit a veryslight amount of air to pass through the vent hole 53.

Mounted in the hole 42 of bridge ll, and above the disk 49, is a spindle54 (see Figs. 1 and 12), the upper end of said spindle being steadied bya device presently described. Said spindle is formed with a collar whichis preferably integral therewith as by swaging. Owing to the minutenessof the spindle, its collar, and the disks carried by said spindle, toenable the device to operate in the necessarily small space provided forit, it would be practically impossible to make the collar 55 separatefrom the spindle and firmly secure it so it would not work loose. But bythe integral structure described, absolute reliance can be placed uponthe parts being in working conditions at all times. Mounted on thespindle above the collar is a disk 56 having an under facing of leather,and another disk 57 having a leather facing on its upper surface, thetwo disks 5G and 57 being properly spaced by a loose sleeve 58. The twodisks and the intervening sleeve are sufiiciently loose on the spindle,so that the disks may have a slight rocking motion to enable them toautomatically closely fit the valve seats presently de scribed. Thisstructure also provides for easy disassociation of the members assembledupon the spindle for the purpose of inspection and regulation.

The holes in the leather facings of the disks fit the spindle so closelyas to prevent leakage of air, but still permit the removal and slightrocking motion described. Above the valve block 50 the shell is formedwith a rectangular aperture 59 (see Figs. 2 and 6) for the stem 60 ofthe valve 61 which valve has a suitable facing of leather or othermaterial to normally close the upper end of the aperture 59, the stem 60being preferably circular in form so that said stem itself will notentirely obstruct the aperture 59, although said aperture serves toguide the stem.

The seat for the upper disk valve 57 comprises a removable ring 62(Figs. 1, l3 and 14:) having its inner edge 63 turned up- 'ardly andhaving its outer edge formed a flange 64L resting on a seat 65 (Fig. 2)around an opening in the top of the shell. The flange 64: is engaged bythe heads of sc ews 07, which overlap said flange, the latter havingedge recesses or notches 68 so that when the ring turned to bring therecesses opposite the screws, said ring can be lifted away to enable thespindle 54k and its two disk valves to be removed through opening (36.The ring (32 has a bridge strip (39 provided with a hole 70 toconstitute a bearing for the upper end of the spindle 54:, an extension71 of said bridge strip serving not only as a handle to enable the 'ingto be turned but also as a stop to prevent the valve 61 (see Fig. 1)from falling out when the shell is removed and inverted. hen the ring isturned away from engagement by screws 67, said ring can be removed, andthen the valve 61 and the spindle and its two disk valves can be liftedout of the shell, and the block a l can be slid out through the open endof the shell, so that all parts can be quickly examined and repaired ifnecessary. It is obvious however that the ring can be turned and thevalve members removed, without removing the shell from its position uponthe vacuum duct or wind chest.

The object of pro *iding the upturned edge 63 of the ring is to preventwhistling resulting from an inrush of air between the seat and the uppervalve disk 57. If the inner edge of the ring were not turned upwardly,it would then be so close to the valve disk as to cause a slightwhistling noise when said valve disk is leaving its seat.

The operation is as follows :-It being understood that by mechanism wellknown, there is a constant partial vacuum existing in the chamber 7) orin other words, the air 1n said chamber is under tenslon. The passage ofthe record sieet over the usual tracker board, from which separate tubesor conduits lead to the ducts a in the board 28, causes perforations ofsaid record sheet to admit atmospheric pressure to one or another of theducts a. It is to be understood that each duct a communicates throughthe board 28 with one primary shell. Only one of such communications orpassagew indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. As, ing that the one ductindicated at a in Fig. 1 has been opened to the atmosphere by thepassage of a perforation of the record sheet, such pressure is instantlyadmitted to the duct 0 (Figs. 8, 9 and 10) resulting in the valve block50 being lifted because the portion of the flexible cover 47 on whichsaid block 50 is mounted, is subject to the reduced pressure in chamberat of the shell below the horizontal partition 36, said chamber at beingconstantly open to the vacuum or tension. chamber 7). The rise of theblock 50 first lifts the valve 61 by means of its stem 60, and when inits uppermost position the faced top of the block 50 closes thepassageway throu h the aperture 59 around the stem (30. '1 no block 59is, therefore, an actuator for the valve 61. The lifting of the valve 61admits air under atmospheric pressure to the passageway g, between thewebs 8S, and since the ends of the said passageway are closed, either bycork or integral stops as described, the pressure in said passageway gis instantly transmitted through the hole 72. in the vertical partition37 into the duct 6 of the block 44:, thus causing the portion of theflexible cover over pocket f to rise, carrying with. it the disk at?)and lifting the spindle and the two valve disks 5h, 57. This upwardmovement of the spindle opens the aperture 6 in the partition 36 of theshell and causes the upper valve disk to seat against the bottom of thering 62. Thus the admission of atmospheric pressure to the chamber Zabove the partition 86 is cut off and communication is establishedbetween the chambers b and m and with chamber Z and also the passageways7 between the webs 3S and the inner walls of the shell (see Figs. 6, 7and Since the passageways Z3 communicate with a port a, the upper memberof the power pneumatic 27, the reduced pressure in the passageways 7i;and chamber Z result in atmospheric pressure actuating the lower memberof the power pneumatic so as to cause the operation of the abstract 91through the connections hereinafter described. After the perforation ofthe record sheet has passed beyond the opening of the tracker boardwhich communicates with the selected duct (5, the cutting off of theatmospheric pres sure from duct 0 and pocket (Z, permits valve blocl: 50to instantly descend under the influence of the atmospheric pressurestriking the top of the valve 1 it passes downwardly around the valvestem 60, the vent 53 in the connecting eyelet 52 permitting this to bedone. The quick downward movement of the valve block 50 is aided by thefact that the reduced pressure in chamber in is communicated through theven to the pocket (Z. The vent hole 53 is not large enough to permit airto so freely escape through it during the first described or upwardmovement of the block as to interfere with the lifting of the said valveblock. The downward movement of the valve block is also aided byatmospheric pressure on valve (31, tending to cause the stem (30 to pushthe valve bloch down. As the valve 61 seats, it cuts off atmosphericpressure from passageway and the descent of valve 50 from its seatagainst the under side of partition 36 opens communication betweenpassage 'ay 1/ and chamber on due to the fact that the stem 60 does notclosely fit its guiding aperture. This results of course in permittingthe portion of the flexible cover over the pocket to drop so that thedisk 49 will permit spindle 54L to return to the position shown in F 1closing the communication between chambers Z and m but opening chamber Zto atmospheric pressure which is instantly communicated throu hpassageways ]a and port a to the interior of the power pneumatic 27 sothat the latter will, through the connection described permit member 21.to descend.

It will now be understood that I have provided a structure of shell unitwhich may be readily removed from the vacuum chest without disturbingany of the interior adjustments and without risk of affecting itsutility. When so removed, its true condition and that of its containedmembers may be readily disclosed whenever necessary. The structure ofthe shell although seamless, is such that all of the moving or movableparts may be passed thereinto or removed therefron'i, and all of thewalls and partitions are integral so as to prevent any possibility ofleakage of air, which often oc ours in prior structures due to shrinkageor swelling or poor construction when separate pieces of wood or metalare glued or otherwise secured together. Preferably the shell is a lightmetal casting, but it may be of other material, such as vulcanizablematerial, the essential. features being that it is seamless andconsequently air tight when in position in the instrument and capable,first of permitting its contained. parts to be removed for examinationwithout disassociating said parts, and second, permitting all of itscontained parts to be wholly disassociated for regulating them withoutdismemberment of the shell conduits and cavities. it will be furtherunderstood that I have provided a pneumatic action within the said shellthat has the novel feature of a block 50 secured to its actuatingdiaphragm by means of an eyelet instead of being glued thereto, so thatthe tendency to stiffen that portion of the diaphragm by adhesivematerial is eliminated. It will. be further un derstood that the smallvent in the top of the eyelet is movable instead of stationary and istherefore self-cleaning. lVhen the vent is stationary, as heretofore,comminuted matter composed of pmvdercd paper worn off from the musicsheet, and dust and lint, in time completely plugs the vent, the resultbeing that the notes invariably fail to repeat rapidly. My movable ventis selfcleaning so that it is never necessary to ap ply a suction pumpto the tracker bar to withdraw ol'istruet-ing matter from the vents.

I claim 1. A. seamless shell for the control valv of the power pneumaticof a musical instru ment, said shell having an open end to register witha vacuum passage or chamber of the instrument, and having means forholding a pneumatic and a valve in proper relative positions, said shellhaving flat side walls with external grooves whereby a bank of theshells can be guided to and secured in position by fastenin 's passingthrough the spaces provided by opposing grooves of adjacent shells.

2. A seamless shell for the control valve of the power pneumatic of amusical instrument, said shell having an open end to register with avacuum passage or chamber of the instrument, and having means forholding a pneumatic and a valve in proper rela tive positions, saidshell having fiat side walls with external grooves whereby a bank of theshells can be guided to and secured in position by tastenings passingthrough the spaces provided by opposing grooves of adjacent shells, theshell also having a lug at its front for the purpose described.

3. A seamless shell for the control valve of the power pneumatic of amusical instrument, said shell having an open end to register with avacuum passage or chamber of the instrument, and having means forcontaining a pneumatic and a. valve in proper relative positions, theside walls of said shell having internal guide ribs, in combination witha pneumatic base slidably engaged with said ribs.

4. A seamless shell for the control valve of the power pneumatic of amusical instrument, said shell having an open end to register with avacuum passage or chamber of the instrument, and having means forholding a pneumatic and a valve in proper relative positions, said shellhaving a vertical partition near one end and a horizontal partitionconnecting with the vertical partition, and webs connecting saidpartitions with the outer wall of the shell to form a separatepassageway between said webs, the ends of said passageway communicatingwith the interior chamber of the shell.

5. A seamless shell for the control valve of the power pneumatic of amusical instrument, said shell having an open end to register with avacuum passage or chamber of the instrument, and having means forholding a pneumatic and a valve in proper relative positions, said shellbeing sub-divided to form an interior chamber, an upper chamber and aplurality of passageways at the front end, and having openings adaptedto be controlled by valves.

6. A seamless shell for the control valve of the power pneumatic ofamusical instrument, said shell having an open end to register with avacuum passage or chamber of the instrument, and having means forholding a pneumatic and a valve in proper relative positions, said shellhaving inner and outer air chambers, the outer chamber having openingsin its walls in alinement, a valve having its stem loosely mounted insaid openings, and a valve in the inner chamber separate from andadapted to contact with and actuate the said stem.

7. A seamless shell for the control valve of the power pneumatic of amusical instrument, said shell having an open end to register with avacuum passage or chamber of the instrument, and having means forholding a pneumatic and a valve in proper relative positions, said shellhaving a vertical partition near one end, and a horizontal partitionconnecting with the vertical partition, and webs connecting saidpartitions with the outer wall of the shell to storm a separatepassageway between said webs, angular apertures being formed inalinement in the said horizontal partition and in the top wall of theshell to admit a valve stem, the ends of said passageway communicatingwith the interior of the shell.

8. The combination with a shell unit having an interior chamber andducts or passageways communicating therewith, of a block removablymounted in said chamber, said block having a pair of cavities and ductsleading thereto, a flexible covering material over said cavities, andvalves positioned to be actuated by the flexing of said coveringmaterial.

9. The combination with a shell unit having an interior chamber andducts or passageways communicating therewith, of a block removablymounted in said chamber, said block having a pair of cavities and ductsleading thereto, a flexible cover over said cavities, said cover beingsecured to the block intermediate the cavities to prevent transmissionof air from one to the other and valves positioned to be actuated by theflexing of said cover.

10. The combination with a shell unit having an interior chamber andducts or passageways communicating therewith, of a block removablymounted in said chamber, said block having a pair of cavities and ductsleading thereto, a flexible cover over said cavities, an eyelet having avent aperture said eyelet having a flange below said cover, a valveblock having an aperture communicating with the vent of the eyelet, saidvalve block being mounted on said eyelet, and a supplemental valveadapted to be actuated by said valve block.

11. The combination with a shell unit having an interior chamber andducts or passageways communicating therewith, of a block removablymounted in said chamber, said block having a pair of cavities and ductsleading thereto, a flexible cover over said cavities, a spindle having avalve disk, and adapted to be actuated by a portion of the cover overone of said cavities, a valve block carried by the portion of the coverover the other cavity and a supplemental valve adapted to be actuated bysaid valve block.

12. The combination with a shell unit having an opening, of a valve ofless area than the opening to enable it to be removed therethrough, anda valve seat removably fitted to said opening, said valve seatcomprising a ring having notches, the shell having members to engage thering when the latter is turned to carry its notches away from saidmembers.

18. The combination with a shell unit having an opening, of a valve ofless area than the opening to enable it to be removed therethrough, anda valve seat having a handle, said valve seat being rotatably mountedrelatively to said opening, and having notches, the shell havingretaining members to engage portions of the valve seat at the sides ofsaid notches.

14:. The combination with a shell unit having an opening, of a valve ofless area than the opening to enable it to be removed therethrough, avalve seat comprising a ring having notches and having a bridge providedwith an aperture, said bridge having an extension to form a handle, theshell having members to engage the ring when the latter is turned tocarry its notches away from said members, the valve including a spindlemounted in the opening of the bridge.

15. The combination with a shell unit having a horizontal partition, thepartition and the top of the shell having two pairs of openings inalinement, an external valve having a stem extending down through onepair of openings, a spindle having two valve disks of less diameter thanthe upper one of the other pair of openings, a ring shaped seat for theupper valve disk, said ringshaped seat being removably connected withthe top of the shell and an extension from said ring-shaped seat overthe external valve to act as a stop for the latter.

16. In a primary valve of the character herein described, thecombination with the valve block and flexible cover, of a metal eyeletsecuring the said valve block to the cover.

17. In a primary valve of the character described, the combination withthe valve block and the flexible cover, of a metal eye let securing thevalve block to the cover and having a small aperture forming an airvent.

18. A pneumatic action for musical instruments embodying, in itsconstruction, a valve shell having a chamber open at one side thereof,the wall of said chamber opposite said opening being at an angle to thebottom of said chamber, and a diaphragm-supporting member detachablyarranged within said chamber, the inner side of said supporting memberengaging said wall and the outer side of said supporting member aliningwith the open side of said shell, whereby said member may be retained inits proper position.

19. A primary valve member having a chamber and a flexible cover forsaid chamber, an actuator mounted upon said cover, and a metal eyeletsecuring said actuator to the cover.

20. The combination with a shell unit having an interior chamber and apassageway through the roof of said chamber, of a block removablymounted in said chamber, said block having a flexible cover providedwith a valve member in close relationship to the lower end of saidpassageway, the shell having an open side to permit the with drawal ofthe block to examine or repair said valve.

21. In an automatic musical instrument, a partitioned casing or shell, ablock carrying a pneumatic and a valve removably mounted in a chamber insaid casing, said parts being combined to form a detachable elementwhich may be removed without disturbing the relationship of said valveand block, the said casing or shell. having an opening to expose itsinterior when the easing is removed from normal or operative position.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature, in presence of twowitnesses.

l/VILLIAM ARTHUR lVATSON.

lVitnesses C. F. BROWN, F. R. RoULsToNn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

